This is the Magazine Tips & Tricks section.

Magazine Tips and Tricks

The next step will be to finding a comfortable storage space for your magazines. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind for secure storage before you construct or purchase shelves, book shelves, crates, glass cases, etc. That way you can plan ahead, and find a safe place to store your collection, with room to grow.

    • Sunlight will bleach and yellow magazine covers. It is very important to avoid light, especially direct sunlight, as much as possible when storing your magazines. If you can’t keep your magazines out of direct sunlight, move or cover them with a piece of blackout cloth during daylight hours. You can even go the length of installing UV light filters on lights and windows around your magazines. Even light sources other than natural light can cause light damage. Turn off direct light sources, such as table lamps, light fixtures, touch lights, or any light source that shines directly on your collection. Even the lights heat can contribute to the deterioration of your magazines, if left on long enough.
    • Do whatever you can to keep your magazines stored away from fire/heat sources, such as fireplaces, stoves, heaters, air vents, etc. Fire can obviously destroy magazines, but heat can warp the covers and pages. Smoke can ruin your magazines also, and not just from the sources mentioned above. Keep cigarettes, incense, candles, or any other source that produces smoke away from your storage space.
    • Keep all liquids away from your magazine collection. These stains are often difficult, if not impossible, to fix. High humidity, which is the amount of moisture in the air, can also cause severe damage to your collection. The humidity level in your storage space should never be consistently above 60%. If so, control the storage spaces climate immediately, or find a new place to keep your collection. Your magazines will benefit with a constant, comfortable temperature. Places such as a garage or storage shed, without climate control, aren’t recommended for storing magazines due to fluctuating temperatures, not to mention insects and other elements.
    • Organize your magazines under a certain category, so that they’re easy to find and store without much confusion. Examples are:
      • Year or Month they were published
      • Seasonally
      • Magazine title
      • Alphabetical order
      • Cover art
      • Spine color
      • Topic
      • Whatever is easiest for you.
    • Scan recipes and great ideas from you magazines, instead of tearing out the pages and damaging them.
    • Use a word document program to keep track of your magazine issues and subscriptions. This can help you budget as well, by letting you know in which months subscription payments are due.

Tips and ideas on how to store your favorite books, comic books, magazines, vinyl records, posters and more!